Garden Myths to Debunk This Fall and Winter

Much garden advice becomes folklore—untested tales taken as truth. Often these myths lead us to overthink and over-garden; sometimes the simplest (even lazier) solution is healthier for plants and landscapes.

How do myths arise? Many ways—some innocent, some more cynical. Gardening should be based on practice over time, not hearsay. When I started, I heard "dig a $10 hole for a $10 plant," leading me to dig too deep, loosening bottom soil, causing expensive trees to sink and develop problems. The lesson: dig no deeper than necessary; keep the root flare at or slightly above grade. Want more wisdom? Read on, then add your own in the comments.

Myth 1: Fertilize trees and shrubs each fall.

No need unless the tree obviously needs fertilizer; if unhealthy, hire an arborist for accurate diagnosis. For lawns, opinions differ: some say apply for spring green-up, others say it becomes winter runoff pollution. I think fertilizing once or twice a season (late spring, summer) is plenty.

Myth 2: Termites love wood chip mulch.

Termites prefer nutrient-rich materials like cardboard. Wood chips lack nitrogen and phosphate, making them unappealing to termites—and rodents.

Myth 3: Amend the soil when planting trees and shrubs.

If you have clay, the instinct is to improve the planting hole. But if the hole soil is nice, roots circle and don't reach native soil, leading to girdling and instability. Don't amend the hole; break up surrounding soil with a spade instead.

Myth 4: Add sand to improve clay soil drainage.

Adding sand to clay makes a better brick, not better drainage. Work with your soil—clay is nutrient-rich. Choose regionally adapted plants; blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis) is a clay-buster with a deep taproot.

Myth 5: Drought-tolerant plants don't need watering.

They do, especially during establishment (weeks to months). Once established and properly sited, they're low-maintenance but still need water in prolonged dry spells.

Myth 6: Add gravel or pot shards to the bottom of planters for drainage.

Actually worsens drainage. Water doesn't move from potting soil into gravel/shards, staying in soil until oversaturated. Shards/gravel just raise the water table. Use good potting mix and ensure drainage holes.

Myth 7: Plant tags are accurate.

Tags often have wrong pots, inadequate info for long-term maintenance. They don't address how soil/microclimate affect mature size, ideal soil, or genetic origin. Origin matters: a plant from southern genetics in a northern garden may bloom/leaf at wrong times (frost risk, pollinator mismatch) and grow differently. Research plants from reputable sources; ask your nursery about genetic stock and where plants were grown.

Your turn: What garden myths have you experienced? What would you like debunked? Tell us in the comments.